By Brandon Pridham Entering his ninth season with NHL Central Scouting, Brandon is the Department Manager based out of the League's Toronto office. Throughout the course of the season, Brandon will provide insight into the League's Scouting Department as it prepares for the 2007 Final Ranking List, Scouting Combine and NHL Entry Draft. NHL Central Scouting Established prior to the 1975-76 season as a service to the NHL member clubs. Along with player ranking reports, CS provides the NHL Clubs with an informational scouting website, prospect DVD footage, Entry Draft pre-approvals and conducts the annual Entry Draft Scouting Combine. As a group, Central Scouting's North American and European scouts will combine to see more than 3,000 games this season. Recent Posts These players are already turning heads Season Archive October 2006 September 2006 August 2006

These players are already turning heads

In the past couple entries we’ve explained the role of Central Scouting and detailed what we look for when at the rink. Now, it’s time to reveal who we’ve been watching and what we’re saying about them. Follow along as we take a country by country look at some of the top prospects that have made a positive impression on our scouting staff in the early part of the 2006-07 season.

Sam Gagner, London Knights, Ontario Hockey League, 5-foot-10, 190 lbs, C/R, Aug. 10, 1989 -- “Sees the ice very well and has excellent ability to move the puck through traffic. … Gives a solid two-way effort. … Protects the puck well and has a good change of pace. … Used in all power-play situations, both on the point and down-low. … An excellent passer with very good hockey sense.” – Chris Edwards

Jeremy Smith, Plymouth Whalers, OHL, 6-0, 159, G, April 13, 1989 -- “His positional play was outstanding, always seems to get himself in the proper position after a rebound. … Good focus, calm and confident with very good concentration. … Holds his ground and his angles were excellent. … Made the big save when his team needed it. … Good balance and mobility. … Doesn't panic.” – Al Jensen.

Angelo Esposito, Quebec Remparts, Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, 6-1, 180, C/L, Feb. 20, 1989 -- “An excellent skater with a great stride, can intimidate opponents with his speed. … Exceptional puck skills, particularly in his stickhandling and passing. …Displayed outstanding hockey sense and a pro (caliber) wrist shot.” – Chris Bordeleau.

Keaton Ellerby, Kamloops Blazers, Western Hockey League, 6-3, 194, D/L, Nov. 5, 1988 -- “A big, mobile defenseman that finishes his checks and has tight defensive-zone coverage. … Handles the puck well and is capable of skating it out of his end, or using a nice outlet pass. … A composed player that can control the play of the game.” – B.J. MacDonald.

Kyle Turris, Burnaby Express, British Columbia Hockey League, 6-1, 170, C/R, Aug. 14, 1989 -- “Excellent vision. … Works just as hard in his own end as he does in the offensive zone. … The puck seems to follow him wherever he goes. … Has the complete package.” – Peter Sullivan.

James Van Riemsdyk, US National Under-18 Team, 6-3, 200, LW/L, May 4, 1989 -- “Skates very well, with surprising speed for such a big player. … Battles for position and doesn't give up on the play. … Strong in front of the net. … Has very good skills and the physicality to match. … Makes good decisions and has all the tools.” – Gary Eggleston.

Nicholas Petrecki, Omaha Lancers, United States Hockey League, 6-3, 213, D/L, July 11, 1989 -- “A very strong physical defensemen that is an excellent skater. … Very quick to close the gap on his opponents. … Passes the puck with authority. Will stand up at the blue line or in center ice and punish an opponent with his body checks.” – Jack Barzee.

Tommy Cross, Westminster, United States High Schools East, 6-3, 195, D/L, Sept. 12, 1989 -- “A very good skater with a nice stride. … Moves well laterally. … An excellent passer who moves the puck quickly and puts it on the tape with some zip and confidence. … A smart player who is aware of the play around him. … Has a very good low shot from the point.” – Gary Eggleston.

Ryan McDonagh, Cretin-Derham, United States High Schools West, 6-1, 200, D/L, June 13, 1989 -- “Has the ability to dominate the game at both ends of the rink. … Has an excellent shot from the point. … Sees the ice extremely well. … Jumps up into the play and makes things happen. … He is an excellent young prospect.” – Jack Barzee.

Vladimir Ruzicka, Sparta Prague, Czech League/U-20 league, 6-1, 180, C/L, Feb. 17 1989 -- “A center with extraordinary talent. … Above-average skater, who possesses excellent vision and soft hands. … Has a good selection of shots and great offensive instincts. -- Roman Havluj.

Lars Eller, Frölunda U-20, Swedish U-20 league, 6-1, 183, F, May 8 1989 -- “Danish-born hardworking two-way forward playing in the Swedish junior league. … Strong player with an excellent attitude. … Can both score and pass. … In top-five among scorers in the Swedish junior league. … A power forward with good overall skill level. … Will play on Denmark’s U-20 and U-18 teams during the season.” -- Jesper Schultz.

Harri Ilvonen, Tappara U-20, Finnish U-20 league, 6-3, 196, D/L, Nov. 3, 1988 -- “A smart payer with a good overall skill level. … He has improved a lot during this season. … He knows his responsibilities with and without the puck in both ends of the ice. … Ilvonen is able to breakout effectively using his passing or skating ability. … He competes hard, is strong and plays with confidence. … Has played on both Tappara senior and junior team during the fall.” – Janne Vuorinen.

Thorsten Ankert, Koln, German senior and U-20 league, 6-2, 212, D/R, June 12, 1988 -- “A big, strong reliable defenseman with potential to develop into a two-way defenseman. … He has improved in the offensive category and is solid in this aspect. … Makes the short outlet pass with confidence. … Strong and efficient in the slot and along the boards. … Mature with the puck” – Thomas Roost.

Alexei Cherepanov, Omsk, Russian league, 6-0, 183, RW/L, Jan 15, 1989 -- “Cherepanov has been sensational in the Russian league during the fall. … Scored points in seven games in a row in October – on his way to beat records scored by Malkin and Ovechkin! … He has excellent hockey sense, excellent soft hands and is very smart on ice. … Has a good selection of shots. … Plays with passion and great attitude. … Could be the next Russian superstar.” – Denis Neznanov.

Juraj Mikus, Trencin, Slovak U-20 league, 6-3, 176, D/L, Nov. 30, 1988 -- “Tall defenseman who has improved his skating and overall skill level during the fall. … Above-average skater. Good reach, fine passing skills. … Sees the ice well.” – Roman Havluj.

Mikael Backlund, Vasteras, Sweden’s Div. I, 6-0, 194, C/L, March 17, 1989 -- “Great skater with good balance. … Gifted two-way center with a high skill level. … Excellent passer and playmaker. … Has a quick shot and is effective on faceoffs. … Excellent hockey sense. … Reads the game extremely well. … Always in great shape and a leader on and off the ice. … A complete package for any coach.” -- Hans Hoglund.

Luca Cunti, Thurgua, Swiss B-League, 6-0, 183, LW/L, July 4, 1989 -- “Cunti will probably be one of the smoothest skaters in the draft. … He can go coast-to-coast with his rushes and he can do this against world-class competition. … Along with his excellent skating go his soft, quick hands and his excellent hockey sense. … Dangerous in one-on-one situations. … His extraordinary tools -- skating and hockey sense – should make him an attractive prospect in June.” -- Thomas Roost.

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Next month, we’ll look at Central Scouting's involvement in the selection process for both the CHL and CJAHL Top Prospects’ games. We’ll also discuss our preparation for the upcoming January mid-term ranking meetings, where the players mentioned above will be analyzed further and ranked amongst their North American or European peers.